Heat wave disrupts fourth of July events across US, strains power grids

A dangerous heat wave has significantly disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across large parts of the central and eastern United States. Numerous parades, concerts, and fireworks displays have been canceled or postponed due to the sweltering conditions.

In Washington D.C., the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, a key event for the nation's 250th birthday commemoration, faced temporary closure as temperatures soared to 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). Organizers of the National Park Service's Independence Day Parade also canceled the annual event, citing safety concerns as the Weather Service projected heat index values to reach as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 Celsius).

The extreme heat has been attributed to a "heat dome," a high-pressure system trapping hot air over the region, causing humidity to spike. This has placed immense strain on power grids. PJM, the largest U.S. power grid operator serving 67 million people, has implemented emergency conservation programs to curb usage amid generator outages, overloaded transmission lines, and a surge in air-conditioning demand.

In New York, Con Edison reported approximately 17,000 customers without power and urged residents in New York City and Westchester County to conserve electricity. The intense heat even caused shoe soles to stick to Manhattan streets as adhesives softened. Despite the extreme heat warning, crowds gathered in New York City to witness celebrity arrivals at Madison Square Garden for a highly anticipated wedding celebration.

Nationwide, over 185 million people, more than half the U.S. population, were under heat alerts on Friday. Forecasters and officials have warned that the prolonged heat wave could be deadly, urging Americans to stay hydrated, seek shade, and monitor for signs of heat-related illness during the long holiday weekend.